Castro Stepping Down as President

HAVANA — Cuban leader Fidel Castro is allegedly not dead, but he is stepping down as the country’s president.

Castro took power in a revolution 49 years ago. He has not been seen in public in 19 months because of an illness, and he previously handed over power to his brother, Raul.

“To my dear compatriots, who gave me the immense honor in recent days of electing me a member of parliament … I communicate to you that I will not aspire to or accept — I repeat not aspire to or accept — the positions of President of Council of State and Commander in Chief,” Reuters quoted Castro as saying in a statement.